The term was derived in the late 19th century
from the Greek verb
"euthenein": "thrive", "flourish". Ellen
Swallow Richards (1842–1911) was one of the first
writers to use the term, in The Cost of Shelter (1905), with the
meaning "the science of better living".

Euthenics is distinguished from eugenics primarily in that the
latter is concerned with the improvement of the human species
through the manipulation of genetic
inheritance (using various techniques of selective breeding),
while euthenics is concerned with uninheritable improvements in
human beings at a particular time and place, though this can have
genetic consequences. For example, while eugenics would typically
deal with the problem of an inheritable disease such as thalassemia by sterilising
sufferers, or by limiting their reproductive rights through
legislation, euthenics would approach the problem through
allocating more resources to screening
for the disease and by education, giving sufferers the chance to
make informed decisions about whether or not to have
children.

The result of the euthenics approach would thus
have long-term, genetic effects, but would achieve them very
differently from eugenics.

Many who support eugenics believe that euthenics
is ultimately pointless, or at least less effective than eugenics,
because it deals with the consequences of a problem rather than the
problem itself. Those who support euthenics argue that eugenic
approaches work by taking choices – and especially
reproductive choices – away from people, while euthenics
allows people to make better-informed decisions, as in the example
of genetic diseases.

Quotations

"Men ignore nature's
laws in their personal lives. They crave a larger measure of
goodness and happiness, and yet in their choice of dwelling places,
in their building of houses to live in, in their selection of food
and drink, in their clothing of their bodies, in their choice of
occupations and amusements, in their methods and habits of work,
they disregard natural laws and impose upon themselves conditions
that make their ideals of goodness and happiness impossible of
attainment." (George E.
Dawson, The control of life through Environment)

"It is within the power of every living man to
rid himself of every parasitic disease." Louis
Pasteur

"Probably not more than twenty-five percent in
any community are capable of doing a full days work such as they
would be capable of doing if they were in perfect health" (Ellen
Richards, Euthenics: The Science of Controllable Environment :
A Plea for Better Conditions As a First Step Toward Higher Human
Efficiency (Public Health in America))

"Right living conditions comprise pure food and a
safe water supply, a clean and disease free atmosphere in which to
live and work, proper shelter and adjustment of work, rest, and
amusements." (Ellen Richards)